86. JESUS, THE ONLY THING STANDING BETWEEN ME & FAILURE…IS YOU
(The Abundant Life Series – Batch 1)
A little while ago, I stood, exhausted, thinking back on the day’s events thus far, where I was at in life, what I had been through and the marathon I had just run from 12.30 a.m. in the morning, to 12.03 p.m. without intermission.
I was trying to reach a midday deadline and missed it by THREE minutes but it was a miracle anyway because I had thought of giving up several times that morning when I saw how much had to be done with so little time. I had felt that it was hopeless at times and as the clock etched forward to 11.23 a.m. and then 11.34 a.m. and then 11.45 a.m., I had wished that I possessed the power to make it stop.
I had felt that all had to be lost and everything hopeless and that I should just throw in the towel and stop trying and give up…BUT! something or someONE kept me going and said Fight! Good things come not to those who want it but those who DEMAND it! Fight!
So I fought to the very end, even as I saw the clock reach 11.59 a.m. and then even 12.00 p.m.
I could have said that’s it. I’m a goner because I am not done, so I might as well abort the mission but I pressed on, although the deadline had passed and I was a bit disappointed. A few minutes after, about 12.03 p.m. to be exact, I saved the document, raced to my e-mail account and rushed to send the e-mail that, who knows, could change my life for better, forever!
And so, I raised my head after it had all been said and done (or perhaps I should say after it had all been typed and sent) and although I was still sick with some kind of weird dizzy head illness and had been feeling so since about three days ago, I said with heartfelt emotion, “Father, the only thing between me and failure is you!”
I saw my weakness, I saw that in this world and for all that it required, I wasn’t bright enough, fast enough, articulate enough, good enough…BUT GOD! He was all those things and more and so lately because I know beyond a doubt that I can’t make it in this life on my own, I have been asking him to fill all the areas in me that he saw weakness with his STRENGTH. It wasn’t a prayer of just words, it came from a place of desperation!
It reminds me of Jabez in the Bible. He was not disillusioned when it came to knowing his limits and so he went to God and asked him to extend it. This was because he knew, that whereas he operated with limitation and seemed destined to a life of grief, God had riches in glory that were limitless!
Having said that, I don’t know what will be the outcome of today but it was a miracle that I pulled through and submitted that VERY important document almost on time (12.03 p.m.). And even after that, I realized I needed God’s mercy and so I went to him…again. (It’s a dependency thing). I said words to the effect, “Lord, please have mercy on me and help them to show me mercy, although I was three minutes late. You know I gave it my ALL in the circumstances.”
Last night when I got home from work (I usually left the office which was stressful, at around 6.00 p.m. and then had to take two forms of transportation and then walk a bit to get to where I lived so I usually arrived home at night), I was too tired to begin, so I dashed to bed soon after and got up around 11.30 p.m. then decided to put the alarm on for 12.00 a.m., then decided to put the clock for 12.30 a.m.
As much as I love to sleep, I thank the Lord for giving me that determination to get up, although I still felt very sick. This morning, I thanked the Lord for opening my eyes and asked him then and there, for strength for the miracle I was going to NEED to pull this off.
I sat there, sick as I was and I couldn’t focus on that because I had that 12.00 p.m. deadline and the time wasn’t enough! I was being asked to do something that would usually take me a week to complete, in one night or part of it and I couldn’t be late!
Well, I was late but Lord, please fill those three minutes of lateness with your mercy and let your perfect will unfold. If this is a door you are opening, then let it open WIDE but if not, shut if FIRMLY. I entrust this into your hands Lord.
Come what may, I thank you.
It’s 3.38 p.m. now and I am going to sleep. Yes I had to take a day from work because I needed to get this done and I wasn’t even feeling well.
Come what may, God’s got this!
(Written on 19th August, 2016)
Dear Reader, if you found the above Article to be informative, edifying or interesting, you may also be interested in reading the following:
- Note 83 – ‘How To Experience The Extraordinary Life’
